If you like strawberries, you will be mind blown by how rich their taste is when you grow them in your garden! You will quickly realize that home-grown strawberries are nothing like those you purchase at your favorite grocery store. They are aromatic and rich in taste, especially when freshly picked and eaten.
Despite what you may think, growing strawberries is not as hard as you imagine. Yes, you will have to meet their requirements in terms of sunlight, water, and soil, and even keep an eye out for pests, but once they establish in your garden, they can satisfy you with prosperous harvests for various years.
Quick Answer:
If you live in zone 6, plant your strawberries in the spring. The goal is to sow your seeds after the last frost but before temperatures get too high. Usually, that would be around March…
One of the best ways to increase your success at growing healthy strawberries is to understand when to plant them. That usually changes depending on where you have your garden. As trivial as it may sound, knowing when is the most suitable time to sow your vegetables and berries will make a difference in the harvests you’ll get.
To learn about when to plant strawberries in zone 6, you’ve landed in the right place. Here, we included everything you should know when growing these plants in your garden. Put our tips to practice to get plenty of delicious strawberries from your garden.
When to Plant Strawberries Zone 6
If you live in zone 6, you must plant your strawberries in the spring. The goal is to sow your seeds after the last frost but before temperatures get too high. Usually, that would be around March in your region.
However, make sure you check with your local weather to avoid making mistakes: winter’s length and average temperatures might change from one year to the other.
Plant your berries somewhere in your garden to allow them to receive plenty of sunlight: they will need at least six hours of direct light to thrive. Ensuring they get adequate amounts will bring you a step closer to enjoying large and healthier fruits.
If you don’t have much space in your yard, consider placing your strawberries in hanging pots or let them grow around trellis from the ground. If you live near a forest, you might have issues with deer and other mammals: strawberries are as appealing to animals as they are to us.
In such circumstances, you will have to take proper measures. Consider installing fences or creating borders with suitable repellent plants.
You can choose among different varieties of strawberries but prefer ever-bearers and day-neutral plants for best results. June bearers might produce larger crops but might not survive frosts.
Growing Conditions
Strawberries are relatively easy to grow, provided that you meet these plants’ basic requirements. For starters, they need plenty of light. Additionally, they like moist and well-draining soil. To improve drainage and nutrient content, add some mulch around your plants. Doing so will also prevent the spread of diseases and limit the risk of root rotting.
You can use organic amendments such as manure or compost. Mulch will also help regulate the soil temperature and insulate your plants from both low and high temperatures.
Prepare the soil before planting. We recommend you to add compost at least six months in advance to allow your strawberries to establish in the location you picked for them effectively.
Remember that strawberries prefer slightly acidic soil. Carry out a pH test and make the necessary amendments if your conditions are not optimal. It will save you lots of headaches in the future and ensure you’ll get plenty of crops.
If you are planting several strawberries, space them at least 18 inches apart to give them enough space for growth. Water your plants regularly, at least once a week, but avoid leaving them wet.
Add an organic liquid fertilizer during the growing season (until early fall) for best results. With proper care, your plants will produce yields for several years. However, you might notice a decrease in production over time.
Strawberries are self-pollinating. You don’t need to add several plants to ensure fruit production. However, cross-pollination can lead to bigger crops. If you have the space, consider planting more than one variety for best results (and more strawberries to enjoy!).
When to Plant Strawberries in Zone 6: Final thoughts
Consider adding companion plants to protect your berries from attacks from pests and mammals. While strawberries are susceptible to many diseases, this simple measure can prevent damage.